Unity Wins Funds for New Haven from Yale

New Haven Rising and the unions at Yale have been leading a city-wide effort in New Haven for many years demanding that Yale Respect New Haven and greatly increase its contributions to the city in lieu of taxes. This week that campaign won an historic victory when Yale University announced it is nearly doubling its annual contribution to the City of New Haven.

The increase of $10 million per year from Yale, combined with the increase in tiered PILOT from the state of Connecticut won this year will provide New Haven an additional $59 million in the annual budget.

For decades members of the Unite Here Unions at Yale in coalition with the community have marched, rallied, testified, risked arrest in civil disobedience, put signs in yards, and enjoyed thousands upon thousands of conversations with neighbors.

Barbara Vereen, Organizing Director of Local 34 and Scott Marks, director of New Haven Rising, said “Our unity made this happen, and our unity will guide us to our next victory. Let’s keep the momentum up, and keep on fighting for a better future for all.”

“The elected leaders heard this message and worked in partnership to deliver this victory. The Board of Alders, Mayor, and city delegation to the state legislature have been stalwart allies—elections matter,” they said concluding that. “Organizing works, and this is just the beginning.”

“Yale: Respect New Haven has been our rallying cry as we escalated our fight to have this incredibly wealthy institution recognize the pain in our city and step up to do their fair share,” emphasized Vereen and Marks.

“Today’s announcement does not solve all our city’s problems, but it is a significant step in the right direction and a historic recognition that New Haven and Yale University’s fates are inextricably linked.”

The commitment is to $52 million more over 6 years including $10 million per year for five years and then $2 million in year six. The commitment also includes continued property tax payments including

100% of the previous tax obligation for property removed from the tax rolls for three years, and then slowly reduce that payment by 10% a year over the next 10 years.